Gravesend & Northfleet 3 Leigh RMI 1

FLEET finally found their rhythm at Stonebridge Road - with the help of the supporters' drum. The crowd had been quiet at the ground after Fleet's failure to pick up any home points since the start of the season.

But they got behind the team against Leigh RMI on Saturday and with the Stonebridge Road drum finding its beat, the home team claimed a 3-1 win.

Fleet were helped by poor discipline from the visitors, with two of their players getting red cards from referee Norman Appleby.

The first player to get his marching orders was Wayne Madden in the 38th minute, picking up two yellow cards in just three minutes for fouls on James Pinnock and Rob Haworth.

Fleet took full advantage of the extra man and had to wait less than four minutes before they took the lead.

Ben Walshe, who was having a superb game on the left wing, crossed for Pinnock to fire in a shot. Leigh keeper Stuart Coburn could only block the effort and midfielder Rob Owen was on hand to shoot home from the narrowest of angles.

With the fans growing louder as the game went on, Fleet pressed home their advantage in the second half.

Ten minutes after the restart, Pinnock sent a cross into the box and loan signing Haworth put the ball in the net.

Leigh threatened to make a game of it when they pulled a goal back on 63 minutes, David McNiven lobbing substitute keeper Paul Wilkerson - who had replaced injured Alex O'Reilly at the interval.

But Fleet regained a two-goal cushion in the 78th minute when defender Chris Moore headed home on his debut.

Leigh then played out the last 10 minutes with nine men when Martin Lancaster was sent off for a second yellow.

Fleet boss Andy Ford said: “I was pleased with the team performance and the win takes a bit of pressure off. It helped us that the crowd got behind us in the second half and the team played better when the drum started going.

“It's early days still but we will be looking to build on that win and move on the table.”